5 Most Accurate Activity & Fitness Trackers (2017)

Most fitness and activity trackers are highly inaccurate when it comes to the business of correctly presenting the calories burnt during exercise (or gulped down), representing the steps walked, recording the number of stairs climbed or analyzing the quality of sleep users get.

This has caused growing concerns among passionate activity trackers and fitness monitor users who are naturally curious about purchasing the best — and most reliable — brands that are also certain to give the most accurate results on all metrics measured and presented: heart rate, calories burnt, stairs claimed, steps walked etc.

This review presents the five most accurate activity and fitness trackers available in the market today. If you are interested in purchasing any activity tracker but are not sure of its accuracy in terms of its reports, it is time to take a close and interested look.

However, before presenting the 5 options we carefully handpicked, it is important to understand this…

Why do you need a fitness/ activity tracker?

There are many advantages an accurate fitness/activity tracker offers you, the user. The most important of these benefits however is the fact that…it gives you important insights into your daily physical activities. Activities like walking, jogging, stair climbing etc. are all covered and important insights are given to you, the wearer. With this insight, it is easy to monitor otherwise difficult (to measure and assess) health metrics.

It is very important to note that the fitness related metrics mentioned above are always taken for granted, especially on a very busy day. However, with an accurate fitness tracker on your wrist (or attached to your body), you do not have to bother whether or not you have properly exercised or burned the right amount of calories in any given day. As you go about your normal business, the fitness tracker will also perform its job in an amazing manner without obstructing you whatsoever.

The data that it gathers, however, will prove very important to you when you sit down to analyze the records of your physical activity. With the insight before you, you would be in a better position to either make intelligent/informed adjustments or simply maintain your tempo for best results, health wise. A healthy, disease free and long life will thus be ensured as a direct consequence.

Why insist on an “accurate” fitness & activity tracker?

Truth is, activity and fitness trackers vary in terms of the accuracy of the figures they give you. In fact, most devices you’ll find in the market today are not accurate. This explains why most users take solace in the oft repeated line by experts: what you really need in a fitness tracker is not accuracy; it’s the motivation it provides.

But that’s bullshit! What’s the point when the figures you’re getting from your tracker aren’t accurate? That means you’ll either be impressed with yourself after doing less than you should or push yourself harder even after engaging in enough activity. Neither outcome is cool.

Even if we’re to agree that no fitness or activity tracker is 100 percent accurate, it’s important to go for the ones that are as near-accurate as possible.

We hereby present to you the five most accurate activity and fitness trackers commercially available today.

1. Fitbit Charge HR Wireless Activity Wristband

However, this tracker is not popular and immensely loved by fitness enthusiasts because it carries the Fitbit badge; it is revered because it is one of the most accurate activity tracker money can buy today.

Fitted with a MEM 3 axis accelerometer that accurately tracks actual steps taken and distance travelled with amazing precision, the Fitbit Charge HR has proved to be a fitness gadget that is much more than a mere (glorified) pedometer.

Beyond the accurate and precise activities of the accelerometer, the heart rate monitor is equally depth inspired, highly precise/accurate and importantly, communicates via low intensity leds which are in themselves an indication of blood volume changes in your capillaries during varying states of physical activity. These super accurate sequences of reports are in themselves made possible via constantly-felt pulse on the skin of the wearer/user.

Further, the built-in altimeter brilliantly takes cognizance of heights with each incline of three meters programmed to count as a distinct and countable floor. This intelligently removes the possibility of false assumptions and random guesses that lead to the wild error margins common in most fitness trackers today.

To conclude on Fitbit Charge HR, it is worthy of note to state that both the sleep monitor function and the option of syncing to apps are (also) both perfect: the former makes certain that from the moment you doze off, everything else that happens while you travel dreamland is brilliantly recorded while the later function makes certain that both during dreamtime and when you wake up to hustle, all fitness related activities you engage in are recorded and charted both for the sake of comparison and more importantly, for the purposes of intelligently comparison and data driven insights.

2. Waterfi Waterproof Fitbit Alta

The Waterfi Waterproof Fitbit Alta is still from the stables of Fitbit – and is not just one of the best and most reliable fitness tracker available today, it is also one of the rare models that also double as water proof.

The waterproof Fitbit Alta is IPX8 compliant and can comfortably withstand depths of up to 210 feet underwater – which makes it one of the most rugged and reliable fitness trackers ever built.

Aside the awesome waterproof function that comes standard on this device model, it is also equipped with a reliable, sophisticated and precise accelerometer that automatically tracks steps, exercise and importantly, the particular type of exercise.

A calorie monitor is also standard to note down both the intake and expense of calories as is a sleep monitor to precisely gauge the quality of the sleep you’re having as a fitness enthusiast so that you can intelligently change your course if you’re doing things wrong or importantly, missing out on great and productive sleep.

Other noteworthy specs of this device include ability to receive calls, text and calendar notification right on your wrist (etc.) in an accurate and super precise manner.

It is noteworthy to also understand that, while the Waterfi Waterproof Fitbit Alta is made by the market leader of wearable technology today – Fitbit, it is worth understanding that the waterproofing is done by Waterfi – an independent company that is distinct and quite different from the Market leader, Fitbit.

However, one thing is clear and unambiguous: the Waterfi Waterproof Fitbit Alta is of Fitbit and has maintained the super impressive quality and precision the company has come to be known and widely recognized for.

3. Garmin Vivoactive

Aside the fact above, it is the most dedicated and comprehensive sports watch ever built – with the intent to cater for golfers, runners, swimmers, cyclists and walkers. Naturally thus, it is a sport tracker, a smart watch and importantly, a fitness tracker.

To brilliantly deliver on these functions, especially the sport of swimming, it is also waterproof and can withstand immersions of up to 5ATM; this means that, typically swimming activity of up to 50m underwater is covered and adequately protected.

However, unlike the other fitness trackers that deploy the use of an accelerometer to figure out the steps walked, climbed etc, this unique multipurpose fitness tracker deploys the use of a sophisticated GPS system to accurately track and document (to the least, fine detail) such fine bits of interest like pace information and distances.

Aside these, the superior and accurate fitness tracker also has the ability to track and present vertical oscillation and maximal oxygen uptake aside working and projecting your cadence (steps per minute).

You’ll agree that a fitness tracker that also doubles as a sports tracker and smartwatch is not a device to take for granted anyday or time. When you add the reality that it deploys the use of the Global Positioning System technology (GPS) to render these awesome services, it is super clear that if you desire an accurate fitness tracker; you certainly have one in the Garmin Vivoactive.

4. Garmin Vívofit Fitness Band

This fitness tracker from the Swiss manufacturer is completely water resistant up to an impressive 50m. At this awesome water resistant level, the fitness tracker can be used in the shower and the pool – without any challenges and is one of the most reliable/accurate trackers sold today.

The Vívofit deploys the use of an inbuilt accelerometer to sense movements and report. This is very effective in gauging and accurately reporting the steps taken, general activity and inspires the prompts that this device is known for and widely loved/respected.

This model comes standard with a full year’s battery life. This means that, you can easily navigate your way with your fitness tracker (all year round) and not bother with a charger to power on your device when the much needed juice begins to flow out of your piece of tech.

Though this fitness device largely deploys the use of an accelerometer to sense movements and report back to the user, this technology is perfect and precise. For instance, immediately inactivity is recorded for an hour, a red line appears right at the end of the display screen. This line does not fade off or go away until a physical activity (like waking) is recorded.

It also doubles as one of the most affordable/most energy friendly fitness tracker you can find today in the market.

5. Fitbit Flex

Last on our list of most accurate fitness trackers is The Fitbit Flex – a wireless activity + sleep wristband manufactured and directly sold by Fitbit.

This fitness tracker deploys the use of a 3 axis accelerometer to understand the motion of the user. The deployment of the 3 axis variant allows the accelerometer to interpret all manner of motions and movements better than other fitness trackers that deploy the use of the older, less reliable technology, the single axis pedometer.

The Fitbit Flex is highly accurate and precise because, aside the implementation of the 3 axis accelerometer, it also deploys a finely tuned and perfected technology for dictating steps and understanding/interpreting them as such. This technology sets a threshold upon which movements are regarded as steps. If bodily movements do not reach this threshold, they are not regarded as steps and are properly not counted towards that end; it also ensures that perfection and precision is beautifully attained in the manner and sophistication that is quite difficult to find in any other fitness tracker.

Aside the awesome specs listed above, it is also important to understand that, the accompanying silent alarm, the synchronization with connected devices and the sleep monitoring functions are perfect and reliable up to the very last detail and their precision can be counted upon and looked at from the standpoint of absolute reliability.

For instance, the sleep monitoring function is perfect and reports to the finest detail. For example, during use, occasional sleep disruptions to use the convenience, attend to a minor or investigate the barking of the dog were all recorded as sleep disruptions and actively projected as disrupting the overall quality of sleep – a function which many of the fitness trackers today are quite incapable of rendering.

So, Which Of These Trackers Is The Most Reliable/Precise?

Or, which mentioned and reviewed activity tracker should you buy for the best and most precise results?

The answer is quite simple: any of the above that fits your fancy as pe the features and specs discussed. However, the guild below will help you easily make a wise and intelligent choice that you’ll certainly be happy with in the months/years to come (depending on just how long you desire to hold onto your tracker).

This fitness tracker will suit your needs in an awesome fashion because not only is it built with an accurate accelerometer, it also has an equally accurate altimeter that takes cognizance of heights and reports them in the most brilliant and precise of manners.

There are some users of activity trackers that love water – to no end 🙂

If you’re such a user and would appreciate to walk in the rain, go for a swim in at the beach or jump into the tub with your tracker still on your wrist, your best bet is the Waterfi Waterproof Fitbit Alta.

This crazy fitness tracker can withstand water depths/immersions that are well above 200feets! Aside this, it is also IPX8 compliant and specifically finished and waterproofed by Waterfi – a dedicated waterproofing company and one of the very best in operation today.

Most precise fitness tracker for sportsmen/women

If you’re a sportsman or woman and would appreciate a multipurpose device that serves as a fitness monitor, sports tracker and a smart watch, the Garmin Vivoactive is your best bet.

This comprehensive and multi-purpose device brilliantly serves golfers, swimmers, runners, cyclists and walkers, all with astonishing precision. You thus cannot go wrong with this hybrid piece of technology.

Most accurate fitness tracker for those with power challenges…

…and those who passionately hate to plug in.

There are users who hate to be reminded of a low battery or get plain irritated with the reminder. Aside these awesome set of users, there are also those who have serious power challenges and cannot afford to plug in every 5 days (e.g. those who are visiting remote areas without power or those who live in the third world).

If the above describes your reality, you certainly cannot go wrong with the Garmin Vívofit Fitness Band. This band is a wonder and has carved a special niche for itself in the world of activity trackers. Aside being immensely rugged, it also uses a coin battery (like the one an ordinary wrist watch uses). This battery lasts a whole year before needing replacement!

If power is thus a challenge to you, you cannot go wrong with this option.

Most accurate fitness tracker for those who appreciate all things in their modest nature…

If you’re not an assuming user or one to make a fashion statement out of a fitness tracker, then, the Fitbit Flex is your best bet.

With a super thin design and just a few leds blinking at any given time, this fitness tracker is devoid of a conventional display screen and can easily pass for an ordinary wrist band that does nothing more than adorn the wrist – for ordinary or sentimental reasons/purpose(s).

…No one has ever doubted/argued the Spartan nature/build of this activity tracker.

A last word on these accurate fitness trackers

Before you make up your minds, wait…it is quite possible that:

You are not a notorious climber/stairs user.

You do not particularly come in contact with water or operate anywhere close to water.

You are not a sportsman or woman.

Charging your device every 5 days is not a challenge/power is constant in your primary domicile.

You are not particularly modest when you go shopping for fitness trackers/would appreciate a fashion statement from your device.

In such a unique case, you are free to pick any of the listed and reviewed fitness/activity trackers

…and believe us, you’ll be perfectly right with the choice you decide to settle with (provided you love its unique features/specs as explained here). As for accuracy and precision, you’ll certainly not need to bother an inch…They all deliver – with astonishing precision that make all the other fitness trackers real dumb by comparison!

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